Day 171: Wisdom's Attraction

Today's Reading: 1 Kings 10-11; 2 Chronicles 9

The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.

1 Kings 10:24

Have you ever noticed all of creation's fascination with light? We are all mesmerized at a campfire; we ponder the stars; we chase fireflies; we sunbathe. Plants turn to the light; moths buzz around the light; roosters announce the dawn.

The Queen of Sheba (yes, even in Biblical times, there were women of power and intelligence) traveled to meet King Solomon, a man whose fame of being a light, a wisdom speaker, draws her from afar. She has questions. A wise man with the "light bulb" over his head has answers.

We are fascinated by wisdom. Wisdom rings true in our hearts. We recognize it. We are drawn to it. It is part of our nature, since we have been made in the image of God, to desire it. We know wisdom brings with it Truth's power.

Thus when Jesus is speaking to his disciples he says, "I am the Light of the World. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness." The one who embraces my truth will never walk foolishly, tripping over snares and getting entangled in traps.

Then Jesus says something very interesting: "You are the light of the world." I am teaching you so you become the ones who have the truth and wisdom that the world craves. People will be drawn to you. "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free."

The Queen of Sheba highly valued wisdom. She gave great gifts to hear it, to discuss it, to come along side it.

In our society, there is a saying, "Knowledge is power." That might be true, but "Wisdom is freedom." Knowledge is corruptible, according to the Apostle Paul. People try to hoard it for themselves. It puffs people up...it gives them a big head. But Wisdom, by its very nature, is to be shared not hoarded, because wisdom has with it not only truth, but love---discernment, stewardship.

So would you like to have some Wisdom? The book of James promises Wisdom is available to us.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5

Imagine the generosity of God. God gives wisdom to all. You don't have to even belong to the Body of Christ. God gives when we ask.

So next time you are in a situation and you have questions, you don't have to raid your spice rack like the Queen of Sheba did or even spend all you have, travel far and ask a renown guru.

Ask God.

And God will generously give it to you.

Because God loves it when you act like the wonderful created being God made you to be--attracted to light, truth and wisdom--attracted to the Light of the World.